Loading...
05/08/2001 - City Council SpecialMinutes of a Special Meeting of the Eagan City Council May 8, 2001 Page 1 of 5 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2001 5:30 P.M. COMMUNITY ROOM Present: Mayor Awada, Councilmembers Bakken, Carlson, Fields and Tilley, City Administrator Hedges, Director of Public Works Colbert, Chief of Police Therkelsen, Emergency Management Coordinator Southorn, Fire Chief Jensen, Senior Planner Ridley, Administrative Specialist Hertel. ROLL CALL AND AGENDA ADOPTION Mayor Awada began the meeting at 5:30 p.m. VISITORS TO BE HEARD No residents were present to address the City Council. PART III C.I.P. 2002- 2006/PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT City Administrator Hedges gave an overview including the three components of the Capital Improvement Program — buildings, equipment, and streets, water and sewer. Director of Public Works Colbert stated that the CIP was a multi -step process involving seeking cost participation from other public agencies and the development of feasibility reports and other project documents. He stated that the plan is based on expected growth both on City and County roads; he further stated that the City's infrastructure is very strong and consequently requires primarily maintenance rather than new road construction or major projects. Mayor Awada inquired about the extension of Yankee Doodle Road. Director of Public Works Colbert stated that the County would approve the project in 2001, easement acquisition would take place in 2002 and construction would take place in 2003. Councilmember Carlson inquired about the Northwood Parkway overpass over I -35E. Director of Public Works Colbert stated that the expected $3 million for the overpass was included in the costs, but that additional applications for funds are being submitted. Councilmember Carlson asked about the signalization of 149 and Argenta Trail. Director of Public Works Colbert stated that the project is scheduled for 2003, stating that the Baffin Trail intersection would be eliminated from TH 149 and County Road 63 would be realigned to Opperman Drive. He stated that he shared the Council's surprise that the Metropolitan Council had not designated funds toward this project, but that it would move forward in 2003 with MNDoT funding. Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Eagan City Council May 8, 2001 Page 2 of 5 Councilmember Bakken stated that as the City considers adding new trails or improving trails that the Council should be conscious of the ramifications given the recent discussions with ISD 196 regarding bussing and trail maintenance. Councilmember Carlson inquired if anything could be done to Town Centre to add trails or sidewalks without disturbing existing vegetation by installing the trails immediately adjacent to the curb. Director of Public Works Colbert stated that, due to safety and the need for snow storage in winter months, the proposed solution would likely be infeasible. Mayor Awada inquired about the possibility of transferring additional funds from the General Fund to the CIP. City Administrator Hedges stated that until the City knows if levy limits will be imposed, it is difficult to know if funds may be available. Director of Public Works Colbert suggested delay on two sections of roads proposed for projects. He suggested that the section of Yankee Doodle Road between TH -13 and Pilot Knob Road be delayed until 2004 and that the section of Lone Oak between TH -13 and Pilot Knob should be moved from the "future" to 2003 in the 2002 -2006 CIP. Mayor Awada added that Dodd Road between Diffley and Ethan should be added to 2002. She commented that this segment of roadway would set the tone for the upgrade of the remainder of Dodd Road. City Administrator Hedges noted that letters of notification would be sent to impacted property owners noting the changes in the CIP. Councilmember Carlson also commented that the ring road should be part of the CIP. FIRE DEPARTMENT AERIAL TRUCK REPLACEMENT City Administrator Hedges gave an overview. He noted that there have been some problems with the current aerial truck and that it may be a greater liability than an asset. He stated that this would ordinarily be considered under the Part II CIP but that the expense would have consumed the entire budget and is being presented for separate consideration. He suggested using equipment certificates for this purchase. Fire Chief Jensen stated that the trade -in value of the current aerial truck would be minimal with respect to the overall cost of replacement. He noted that the City Council had the opportunity to move forward with a bid on a demonstration unit for a reduced price. He commented that the unit would cost approximately $600,000, plus a $55,000 upgrade and $100,000 in equipment additions. After brief discussion about costs, Councilmember Bakken noted that the difference between new and used models totaled approximately $70,000. Councilmember Carlson stated that the current vehicle should be sold "as -is" for liability purposes. Councilmember Bakken stated that the long -term maintenance costs should be considered, and requested hourly operating cost estimates before Council action. He clarified that the Council's direction is to move forward on the demo unit, but to prepare additional figures regarding the differences between the units and the operating costs over time. Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Eagan City Council May 8, 2001 Page 3 of 5 REVIEW PUBLIC NOTIFICATION POLICY FOR MAILING PUBLIC HEARING NOTICES City Administrator Hedges gave an overview of the history of the issue, including reference to the decision made previously to notify properties within 350 feet of a given project and to use signage for additional area notification. He noted that the process could be improved by including an area map in the legal notification for clarity. Councilmember Carlson stated that the process is working and that fewer people than ever are approaching the Council to express concern about not knowing a project was under consideration. She further stated that notifications should be sent by address rather than property identification number because address notifications will reach all members of townhome associations and condominium residences. A brief discussion yielded direction to consider additional signs and in a different color that works effectively in all seasons. Councilmember Tilley stated that the notification limits should be extended further, beyond the 350 foot radius currently in place. She stated that communication with residents is a City Council goal and this request by citizens for broader notification should be implemented. Councilmembers Fields and Carlson both stated that a combination of notifications and signage would be optimal and that the logical extreme of expanding the policy is that eventually the City will be knocking on doors for notification. They stated that responsibility should be placed back on the residents after the City has followed its own rules for notification. City Administrator Hedges noted that staff would bring the mailing lists to Council meetings for reference as needed when persons inform the Council they did not receive notification. Mayor Awada moved, Councilmember Fields seconded a motion to direct staff to increase signage, select a new, brighter color for use in all seasons. Aye: 5 Nay: 0 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN City Administrator Hedges gave an overview. He stated that the plan is designed to be used in any emergency situation, but does not purport to be a detailed plan for every kind of emergency. Mayor Awada clarified that the plan essentially gives authority to the professional staff to respond in emergency situations without Council action and is necessary to respond well to emergencies. Chief Therkelsen stated that the plan works to minimize negative impact, increase efficiency, and improve recovery and response efforts in the wake of the immediate emergency. Emergency Management Coordinator Southorn gave a detailed presentation of the Emergency Preparedness Plan. Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Eagan City Council May 8, 2001 Page 4 of 5 The Councilmembers discussed the importance of being able to contact one another immediately in an emergency. The Council directed staff to prepare a resolution for a regular Council agenda stating that in emergency situations, the City Administrator will attempt to contact Councilmembers for two hours prior to an emergency meeting and that in the event that Councilmembers are unreachable, a quorum of three Councilmember may convene and take action in an emergency. DISCUSSION REGARDING SIGN PLACEMENT Ms. Cindy Bean addressed the Council and stated that signs of any kind should not be allowed in the public right -of -way. She stated that the signs make the City unattractive and that signs are safety hazards in some traffic situations. She further stated that the signs were not free speech because they did not speak to a candidate's platform. Mayor Awada stated that the law does not allow for discrimination between types of signs. Councilmember Fields stated that she agreed with Ms. Bean's comments and position. Councilmember Bakken stated that it was an inappropriate use of public resources to use enforcement resources to ensure adherence to an aesthetic standard. He stated that the limitations on the signs as originally proposed by the City Council were unconstitutional and that the enforcement costs had not been considered. He stated that even revisions to the current ordinance would still result in a free- for -all in many parts of the City, causing traffic problems at corners and without truly reducing the number of signs. Mayor Awada stated the greatest abuse is on County roads. She noted that in other cities, candidates for office must be granted permission to place signs on private property. Senior Planner Ridley stated that enforcement would be more manageable if signs are not allowed in the public right -of -way or on public property. Councilmember Carlson stated that Apple Valley is handling the matter correctly by making the setback requirements more than the right -of -way and allowing signs on the County road right -of -way, per Dakota County's guidelines. Mayor Awada moved, Councilmember Carlson seconded a motion to draft an ordinance to restrict signs on all city -owned property, including right -of -way, parks and public facilities. Aye: 4 Nay: 1 (Councilmember Bakken opposed) OTHER BUSINESS — SUPER STORM DIRECTION Director of Public Works Colbert stated that the Public Works Department had received several calls from residents who are physically or financially unable to repair fences and property that will be impacted by the pending projects up for consideration by the City Council. He asked the Council to consider how the City would respond to residents facing hardship as a result of the proposed improvements to the storm sewer system. DRAFT Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Eagan City Council May 8, 2001 Page 5 of 5 Councilmember Bakken inquired if the costs of fence or other repairs on properties would be approximately a wash with the costs of easement acquisition. Director of Public Works Colbert stated that on average, the costs would be roughly equal. Councilmember Bakken then suggested that the Council offer property repair to residents who grant easements and inform residents who insist on payment for easements that they will be responsible for their own repairs. The Council briefly discussed options to save trees in the course of the projects and further complications with proceeding with projects. Mayor Awada suggested that the Council authorize staff to proceed with projects with the assistance of a third -party consultant or adjustor. Director of Public Works Colbert stated that the City must caution that the property repairs are not guaranteed or under warranty, but that the City's efforts would be in good faith. Mayor Awada stated that a third -party adjustor would be useful and that the Council needs to stand behind the Public Works Department and their efforts. Director of Public Works Colbert inquired about the replacement of trees and noted that the City's tree removal policy provided guidelines for the replacement of most significant trees. Mayor Awada stated that all efforts should be made to preserve trees. Comments on the Draft Restoration Policy were made and staff was directed to revise the policy and bring it back for formal Council approval. The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Date City Clerk If you need these minutes in an alternative form such as large print, Braille, audio tapes, etc., please contact the City of Eagan, 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122, 651- 681 -4600, (TDD phone: 651- 454- 8535). The City of Eagan is committed to the policy that all persons have equal access to its programs, services, activities, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status or status with regard to public assistance.